Keil and Delitzsch call Balaam's method “augury.”4 This involves looking Critical Issues Commentary at omens, chance events, or happenings in A monthly commentary on Biblical concerns that impact you nature to divine the future. True were inspired by the and were forbidden to use these heathen practices. Soothsaying, divining, and other such The Balaam Syndrome about the coming (Numbers practices were uncertain and dependent written by Bob DeWaay 24:17) is condemned throughout Scrip- on the skill and reputation of the sooth- ture! Balaam has been called “enigmatic” sayer. Some were more accurate than “Forsaking the right way they have and thus he is; yet he serves as an exam- others. Balaam evidently had one of the ple of the type of false teachers that trou- best reputations of his day in the use of gone astray, having followed the way ble the in the end times. enchantments. of Balaam, the son of , who loved said, “There shall not be found the wages of unrighteousness, but he among you anyone who makes his son or received a rebuke for his own trans- Balaam and Occult Practices is daughter pass through the fire, one uses gression; for a dumb donkey, speaking , one who practices witchcraft, with a voice of a man, restrained the Though there is some debate about the or one who interprets omens, or a sorcer- madness of the .” (2Peter meaning of Balaam's name, it appears to er.” (Deuteronomy 18:10). Evidently, 2:15,16) mean “devourer.” Keil and Delitzsch Balaam did not obey this directive. Even state: if he were completely accurate (which Balaam, the mad prophet, serves as a In its true meaning, the name is occultists never are) in his predictions and prototype for false teachers who will arise related to that of his father, Beor. ... pronouncements, he is false if these meth- in the last days and trouble the Christian to burn, eat off, destroy: so called on ods are employed (see Deut. 13:1-3). True account of the destructive power church. The stern warnings of 2Peter 2 prophets speak from God and thus speak attributed to his curses are for those who would follow in his the truth Deut. 18:20-22) because God (Hengstenberg). It is very probable, path. The false teachers to whom Peter cannot lie. therefore, that Balaam belonged to a So, Balaam was in error because he refers are people who are considered family in which the mantic charac- by their peers. They are those persisted in the use of forbidden methods. ter, or magical art, was hereditary ... Even after his famous encounter with the to whom he refers in verse 1 of this chap- he is never called ... a prophet, or ... donkey and having twice spoken words ter: “But false prophets also arose a seer, but ... the soothsayer (Josh. God put in his mouth (Num. 23:5-10 & among the people, just as there will also xiii. 22), a title which is never used be false teachers among you, who will in connection with the true proph- 16-24) the Scripture says, “When Balaam secretly introduce destructive here- ets. (quotes of Hebrew words omit- saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Is- sies...” Verse 15 as quoted above indi- ted with ...)1 rael, he did not go as at other times to cates that those who follow the way of This introduces one of Balaam's primary seek omens...” (Num. 24:1a). In his first Balaam have “forsaken the right way.” problems: the use of forbidden, occult two encounters with God's word, he had They will arise among Christians and techniques. Keil and Delitzsch continue, gone out to seek omens or auguries, as appear to be Christians. What is the way “For ..., soothsaying, is forbidden to the was his habit. He was in some sense in of madness that will characterize certain in Deut. xviii. 10 sqq., as an contact with the true God, but was also apparently Christian teachers in the last abomination in the sight of Jehovah, and using forbidden techniques. He was look- days? Let us examine the historical ac- is spoken of everywhere not only as a ing to nature to divine secret information. count of Balaam and see how his errors grievous sin (1Sam. xv. 23; Exek. xiii. 23; Similar procedures are used to this day. are applicable to situations in the church 2Kings xvii. 17), but as the mark of a Palm reading, astrology, tea leaf reading, today. false prophet (Exek. xiii.9, xxii. 28, Jer. and other occult practices consult nature Every Old and refer- xiv. 14)...”2 According to this evidence to divine secret information about people ence to Balaam subsequent to the histori- presented by Keil & Delitzsch, Balaam or the future. God created nature and by cal record of Numbers 22-24 is a con- was primarily an occultist who was quite general revelation shows His existence demnation of Balaam or those who listen adept at the use of the magical arts. He and certain things about Himself through to or emulate him. These references are: had such a reputation that was His creation (Psalm 8 & Romans 1:18- :8,16; Deuteronomy 23:4,5; willing to pay handsomely for his ser- 21). However, the purpose of general 13:22 & 24:9,10; vices. Balaam was able to extract huge revelation is to lead us to a relationship 13:2; 6:5; 2Peter 2:15; Jude 11; fees for his services because of his reputa- with God through his specific revelation :14. A man who said, “... I tion for success in blessing or cursing (Hebrews 1:1,2) which requires submis- could not do anything, either small or (Numbers 22:6). Balaam had a good sion to His Messiah, Christ and His great, contrary to the command of the track record and was rewarded accord- will revealed in Scripture. The reception LORD my God” (Numbers 22:18), ingly. The ISBE states, “... he was famed of this specific revelation both forbids and blessed Israel (Numbers 24:3-9), prophe- for his skill as a diviner (Heb. qosem) and makes unnecessary foolish attempts to sied under the inspiration of the Holy for his ability to use enchantments (Heb. gain through nature specific revelation Spirit (Numbers 24:2), and prophesied nehasim).”3 about unrevealed matters. Astrology is an example of augury in that secret infor- mation is sought through nature. Balaam of Israel and the religions of the surround- worldliness and temporal intoxication. sought to have it both ways: know Jeho- ing nations. From God's perspective these The way of Balaam is an unholy mixture vah and His revealed will and use augury are incompatible. of apparently supernatural occult tech- and divination. He is condemned for niques, monetary motivation, and life doing so. styles not compatible with Christian disci- In this regard, Simon the sorcerer of Balaam and Money pline. Acts 8:9-24 serves as a New Testament This second error of Balaam is the example of Balaam's problem. Simon in Though Balaam finally refused Balak's motivation of money and power. Ba- some sense believed the preaching of offer of money (Numbers 22:18), clearly laam loved monetary reward more than he Philip about Jesus Christ and submitted to it was a major motivation in his life. loved God or God's people. He compro- Christian baptism. Yet his interest in Peter says that he “loved the wages of mised what he knew was right for the making money through amazing crowds unrighteousness,” and Jude that false sake of financial reward. with signs and wonders was unabated. He teachers have “for pay... rushed headlong thought he could mix the sovereign work into the error of Balaam” (2Peter 2:15 & of the Holy Spirit with his magic and be Jude 11). Balaam's initial interest in Balaam the Spiritual Renegade even more successful in his magical arts. Balak's “curse Israel” project was aroused Peter told him, “You have no part or by the enticing monetary offer (Numbers As Balaam foolishly pushed his donkey portion in this matter, for your heart is 22:7). Increasing the ante caused him to toward the unseen (to Balaam) with not right before God” (Acts 8:21). Like reconsider (though with a disclaimer - a drawn sword (Numbers 22:22-27), he Balaam, he thought he could have it both 22:18,19) the offer previously refused. had obtained permission from God to go. ways - that faith in the true God could be Unlike who chose “... to endure ill- Why did God send an angel to stop him mixed with the occultic practices of the treatment with the people of God, than to on a journey that God had previously pagans. Peter's confrontation and enjoy the passing pleasures of sin” (He- authorized? The said to denunciation of Simon Magus was a stand brews 11:25), Balaam would lend his Balaam, “Why have you struck your don- against the incorporation of occultic prac- prophetic arts to the one with the most to key these three times? Behold, I have tices into the church.5 The mention of offer. His problem was that the Lord God come out as an adversary, because your Balaam by Peter and Jude shows that they of Israel sovereignly intervened in his way is contrary to me” (Numbers considered this possibility an ongoing plan to curse Israel, and kept him from 22:32b). Balaam offered to turn back but threat to the authenticity of Christianity. the rewards of divination. was instructed to go and say what God This underscores another major prob- wanted him to say (Numbers 22:34,35). The evidence from the rest of the book lem: if Balaam was in direct communica- Balaam had no desire to do what God of Numbers suggests that after blessing tion with God, and knew of His choice of wanted, and needed the stern warning of Israel in spite of Balak's protests, Balaam Israel to be blessed, why did he fail to join the donkey and the angel to get him to do subverted the faith of Israel by enticing himself to Israel and submit to God's law? what was right. His response to the words them to enter into the practices of those Under the Old Covenant, one could not be of the donkey shows his bull-headedness, who worshipped of (Numbers a true prophet of God and operate inde- “If there had been a sword in my hand, I 25:2,3). Numbers 31:16 states, “Behold, pendent from God's covenant people. would have killed you by now” (Numbers these caused the sons of Israel, through Perhaps success and money was a reason 22:29b). Most people who witnessed a the counsel of Balaam, to trespass against to remain separate. At the time Israel was donkey speaking probably would run the Lord in the matter of Peor, so the a despised group of nomads, wandering in away in terror or stand speechless in plague was among the congregation of the the wilderness, living in tents. Though amazement! Not Balaam, he argued with Lord.” Israel killed Balaam when they God had given some victories, the out- as if he was more convinced of conquered the heathen nation to which he come was still uncertain to those who did the rightness of his position than he was was evidently still allied (Numbers 31:8). not believe God's promises. Making a surprised that a mute creature spoke. In Balaam's first and primary error was in commitment to God's people might cause verse 30 the donkey's logic prevailed and mixing some knowledge of the true God personal deprivation and loss. Moses Balaam had to admit that his loyal burden with heathen, occult practices. His life chose such deprivation. Balaam did not. bearer had never acted in such a manner showed an unholy mixture of the work of before. the Holy Spirit (Numbers 24:2) and To those with no eternal perspective, Balaam's third error was that he did forbidden techniques of divination. Reve- the world has a to offer. Jesus resisted not love the truth. Though knowing that lation 2:14 says, “But I have a few things an offer from of temporal benefit God did not want him to curse Israel, he against you, because you have there some through compromise (Luke 4:5-8). hoped to somehow still collect the fee for who hold the teaching of Balaam, who Throughout church history, the tempta- divination. He must have known that kept teaching Balak to put a stumbling tion to compromise with the world for the Balak was not going to pay to have Israel block before the sons of Israel, to eat sake of financial reward while still blessed when he wanted them cursed. things sacrificed to idols, and to commit maintaining Christian pretenses has lured Balaam was going with no intention of acts of immorality.” Prophets have teach- many away from the faith. The last 10 doing God's will when he got there. The ings and Balaam's was that the forbidden years have witnessed many popular and angel was placed there by God to stop him practices of Israel's enemies could be powerful Christian “men and women of from carrying out his plan of cursing incorporated into the community of God's God” seduced and scandalized by the lure Israel. It is one thing to say “yes” to God covenant people. Balaam seemed to of money and power. Immorality also under compulsion; it is another to love the bridge the gap between the true religion enters the equation as a powerful lure of truth and to desire submission to God's revealed will. truth. that anyone who says “Lord, Lord” to It seemed that Balaam trusted too Jesus is harmless. If they are able to The Judgment of Hardening much in his spiritual experiences. God perform powerful spiritual signs, they are spoke to him, an angel spoke to him, he at given even more credence. If the Spirit of The contains other examples of times prophesied correctly, the Holy Spirit God obviously uses them in certain cir- persons who grudgingly said “yes” to came upon him, he was very adept at cumstances, they are enthusiastically God. Pharaoh gave into God's will sev- spiritual things and had a good reputation endorsed and those who doubt or criticize eral times out of discomfort with the in these matters. The situation described their teaching are warned not to “touch plagues; but he never had a heart to do by Jesus in Matthew 7 is similar: God's anointed prophets.” By these stan- God's will. He finally perished as an Not everyone who says to Me, dards, Balaam would be accepted today as enemy of the kingdom of God, as did “Lord, Lord,” will enter the king- a true prophet of God. However, Israel Balaam (Numbers 31:8). True conver- dom of heaven; but he who does the was rebuked for listening to him as was sion involves a supernatural change of will of My Father who is in heaven. the church in Pergamum for listening to heart so that the purpose of one's life Many will say to Me on that day, those who held Balaam's teaching many becomes a love for God, His Word, and “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in centuries later. His will. God will judge those who are Your name, and in Your name cast How serious is the problem? The first willingly harden their hearts in the face of out , and in Your name per- major failing of Balaam was occult prac- God's revealed will. 2Thessalonians 2:9- form many miracles?” And then I tices. I have spoken to Christians who will declare to them, “I never knew 12 says of the lawless one who will arise were eyewitnesses to Christian meetings you; depart from Me, you who prac- at the end of the age, in which people were amazed by prophets tice lawlessness.” Therefore every- who could describe the contents of a per- That is, the one whose coming is in one who hears these words of Mine, accord with the activity of Satan, and acts upon them, may be com- son's pocket to him (ESP), see spiritual with all power and signs and false pared to a wise man, who built his truths and specific predictions revealed in wonders, and with all the deception house upon the rock. (Matthew the accidental occurrences of nature (au- of wickedness for those who perish, 7:21-24) gury - soothsaying), determine one's spiri- because they did not receive the love The contrast is between those who call tual ministry by touching or examining of the truth so as to be saved. And Jesus “Lord,” do miracles and prophesy hands, palms or fingers (palm reading), for this reason God will send upon and those who do the will of God. The learn special or secret things about a per- them a deluding influence so that son through examining metaphysical they might believe what is false, in one building on the rock is the one who “hears these words of Mine, and acts upon “colors,” unapparent to others that they order that they all may be judged claim surround the individual (aura read- who did not believe the truth, but them.” The words of Jesus are written for ing), and make claims of soul travel in took pleasure in wickedness. us in Scripture, and the one practicing the both time and space. Those who have God can and does judge those who have truth as revealed in the Bible is the one made the decision that these practices are known the truth but not loved it by send- who is building on the solid rock. permissible for Christians become very ing delusion upon them. The same Balaam called God, “the LORD my God.” upset and defensive if anyone questions thought is expressed in Romans 1:18-24. (Numbers 22:18). He prophesied in His them. The judgment of hardening comes upon name and did mighty works and wonders; Some who practice such things say, those who knew God and the truth but yet he serves as an example of the type of “Methods are neutral, God can use any- chose not to follow it. One major aspect false teacher who will arise during the thing.” It is true that God can use what of the error of Balaam is a lack of love for period between Pentecost and bodily he chooses. God used Pharaoh, God used the truth. return of our Lord and mislead many. the witch of Endor, and God will use the Jesus did the same miracles and gave These teachers will have spiritual power lawless one to bring judgment upon those the same teachings to many people in but will not love the truth. who do not love the truth. God in His Judea, yet only a few committed them- wisdom and providence allowed His Son selves to Him as the true Messiah. “Jesus to be “nailed to a cross by the hands of therefore answered them, and said, `My Balaam and Today's Church godless men and put to death” (Acts teaching is not Mine, but His who sent 2:23). God used Balaam. The fact that Me. If any man is willing to do His will, The passages in 2Peter, Jude, and God uses such persons does not justify the he shall know of the teaching, whether it Revelation that refer to Balaam are scrip- persons so used nor justify anyone follow- is of God, or whether I speak from My- tural warnings to the saints about real ing their evil example. self'” (John 7:16,17). The soldiers who dangers they will face in the end times. The magi were evidently astrologers witnessed the resurrection knew the truth Many who study these passages fail to and were used of God; but astrology is but took money to lie about it (Matthew apply them accurately to the current situa- condemned ( 47:13). Though a 28:11-15). The truth only sets free those tion. Most of us assume that our group or woman with a spirit of divination en- who make a commitment to the changes our movement is immune to such things. dorsed Paul and his message (Acts 16- that the that the knowledge of the truth We think that 2Peter 2 only applies to :17), neither divination nor the evil spirit requires. Peter and John knew that Christ weird cultists or strange sects that we by which she spoke are thus justified. If was raised as did the soldiers; but they would have nothing to do with. Yet Peter any method or practice for determining served their resurrected Lord while the (like Paul in Acts 20:29) predicts that the secret or supernatural information is soldiers preferred money. Balaam was false teachers will arise “among you.” permissible, then Christians could seek also more motivated by money than by We fail to identify them because they come from Christian groups. We assume guidance through ouija boards, assuming that God might use them. Scripture con- The response has often been that: 1) drome. To fail on one of these points and demns certain methods, making them unity is more important than truth, 2) not the others is not good enough. Any impermissible. To mix Christianity and their followers and power prove that they one of these errors can undermine what- occult methods is to fall into the error of are “God's anointed prophets,” and im- ever good could have been done through Balaam. mune from criticism, 3) the Bible has the ministry of the person in question. many interpretations anyway and that no Scripture warns the saints not to follow one can claim that they know what it those who are of the way of Balaam. We Balaam's Electronic Protégés means, 4) doctrine is unimportant and must search the Scripture to determine will cause the church to be spiritually the validity of the ideas being presented to Balaam's problem with money also has dead, 5) those who do not accept the us by claimed people of God. It is not modern counterparts. There has been “prophets” are guilty of “blaspheming the true that sincerity alone vindicates a per- ample documentation of this problem Holy Spirit” and face certain judgment, 6) son. Sincerely following someone in with some Christian television preachers no one has the right to question their error can cause terrible consequences. in America. Several major scandals have published teachings without asking their The love for the truth and holding to the rocked the Christian world and caused permission (which is never granted), and Biblical doctrines of the authority of shame and reproach to come upon the 7) we ought just to submit to the spiritual Scripture and the priesthood of every in the eyes of the unbelieving. authorities (themselves) and let God take believer will keep us from following the Amazingly, even after overwhelming care of these matters later. modern Balaams who traffic in the spiri- evidence of immorality and has Some of these issues will be individ- tual arena in these last days. been shown in their lives, popular Chris- ually dealt with in later editions of Criti- tian teachers still enjoy the financial and cal Issues Commentary. They apply to Bob DeWaay, Twin City Fellowship, P.O. moral support of millions of followers. Balaam in that they tempt Christians not Box 8068, Minneapolis, MN Some who recently have been found to use the discernment necessary to keep 55408; © 1992. lusting after ill-gotten riches continue to themselves from being misled. teach and preach, refusing even to discuss Scripture taken from the New American the issue with anyone. They claim the Standard Bible, © Copyright 1960, 1962, right to live opulent lifestyles off the Search the Scripture! 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, sacrificial giving of the poor. Jesus said 1977, 1988, The Lockman Foundation. of those in the first century, “you devour Some have refused to look at any Bibli- Used by permission. widow's houses, even while for a pretense cal evidence that their teachings are in you make long prayers” (Matthew 23:- error. They discourage their followers End Notes 14). Balaam and his modern protégés from learning proper Biblical interpreta- never seem to lack an audience or devoted tion (hermeneutics), reading commentar- 1. Commentary on the Old Testament, supporters. Perhaps 1990's American ies, or obtaining any help in understand- C.F. Keil and F. Delitzsch; Eerdmans, Christians should reread 2Peter 2 with the ing the Scripture. This lack of love for 1986 printing (10 Volumes); Vol 1 - part idea that this chapter may apply particu- the truth was the fatal flaw in Balaam's 3, pages 159, 160. larly to some who we thought were God's approach to being a prophet. He thought 2. ibid. page 160. true teachers and prophets. that his own spiritual experiences and expertise would suffice and remained a The third problem with Balaam, the 3. The International Standard Bible Ency- lack of love for the truth, is probably the spiritual renegade. clopedia, Eerdmans, 1979, fully revised, most prevalent. It lies at the very heart of “God, after He spoke long ago to the Vol. 1, page 405. the sin nature that is endemic to mankind. fathers in the prophets in many portions Satan started the plunge to spiritual bond- and in many ways, in these last days has 4. ibid. age and death with “the lie” and contin- spoken to us in His Son, whom He ap- ues promote falsehood in his attempt to pointed heir of all things, through whom 5. see The New International Commen- subvert the work of God. It is no surprise also He made the world.” Balaam should tary on the New Testament, The Book of that the “liar and father of the lie” (John have submitted himself to what God had Acts, F.F. Bruce, Eerdmans, 1988; page 8:44) continues to mislead many. In spoken to the fathers under the Old Cove- 171, esp. ft. nt. 47. order to remain free from spiritual bond- nant. He did not. What God “has spo- age, one must be committed to the truth. ken,” to us in His Son is written for us in www.twincityfellowship.com/cic Jesus prayed for us, “Sanctify them in the the Scripture. To refuse to submit to this truth; Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). because of one's trust in his own revela- Once a popular teacher has published tory abilities is to follow in Balaam's and broadcast certain teachings, it is very foolish path. difficult to admit it if there are serious The New Testament warns us about errors in the message. If one is receiving Balaam's error. His three errors are: To money, prestige, and accolades from the mix worldly occult techniques with the multitudes, why rock the boat? Many pop work of the Holy Spirit, to be motivated doctrines that are patently unbiblical have by money and unrighteousness, and to been taught and subsequently exposed as fail to love the truth that has been re- erroneous by credible Christians who vealed by God once for all. To fall into have examined the Biblical evidence. them is to be a part of the Balaam syn-